CHARLESTON, WV – During a ceremony today at the State Capitol, Gov. Jim Justice proclaimed March 2020 as Red Cross Month in West Virginia.
"Hundreds of thousands of people turn to the American Red Cross every year for food, shelter and recovery support in the face of disasters," Gov. Justice said. "During 2019 the Red Cross in West Virginia assisted over 1,000 local families and more than 2,600 West Virginians who were impacted by some type of disaster. I’m told that 90 percent of those were house fires and the Red Cross was there to address urgent needs like food and lodging along with recovery support.
"That said, it’s important to note that the Red Cross and local partners installed more than 6,000 free smoke alarms making 2,700 homes safer in 2019.
"Over the last five years over 28,000 smoke alarms have been put into 11,000 residences in West Virginia. These alarms have saved at least 29 people in our state during that time," Gov. Justice added. "In the last year the Red Cross has educated nearly 4,000 of our state’s youth about preparedness and coping skills through the Pillowcase Project and they have supported over 1,000 of our military members, veterans and their families through the Service to the Armed Forces Program.
"The Red Cross also collected about 36,000 units of lifesaving blood last year and trained almost 24,000 people in lifesaving skills such as first aid and CPR.
"The list really never ends and I can’t tell you enough that on behalf of myself and all West Virginians how much we appreciate everything that the Red Cross does," said Gov. Justice. "So it’s with great pride that I proclaim March 2020 as Red Cross Month in West Virginia."